The AIMsight Infrared Microscope features automated analysis functions and an upgraded wide-field camera, enabling users of all skill levels to rapidly and effectively identify, monitor, measure, and analyze microsamples.
The easy-to-use AIMsight Infrared Microscope recognizes the measurement target with a single click on the image in the AMsolution control software and establishes the ideal measurement position in less than one second.
The AIMsight Infrared Microscope has Shimadzu’s patented wide-field camera and an infrared microscope objective. The wide-field camera can capture large areas up to 10 mm × 13 mm, while the 330× digital zoom feature allows observation of areas as small as 30 µm × 40 µm.
In addition, the instrument has the highest sensitivity in its class, with a signal-to-noise ratio (S/N) of 30,000:1. Operators can quickly acquire high-sensitivity data for micro-measurement targets as small as 10 µm. The device also has a feature for measuring the diameter of microplastic particles.
Videos
Official Product Video - Infrared Microscope AIMsight
[FTIR] Infrared Microscope AIMsight Official Product Video
Video Credit: Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
This equipment quickly and automatically measures micro targets by irradiating them with infrared light and analyzing reflectance and transmission.
This instrument can be used to study microplastics – tiny plastic particles that have a negative impact on the environment – as well as for trace contaminant analysis and quality control in fields such as chemistry, electrical devices and electronics, machinery, and transportation.
Features
Observe
An improved wide-field camera allows users of various skill levels to swiftly and effectively locate, monitor, measure, and analyze microsamples.
Loading Samples is Easy
Image Credit: Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
Pressing the [Eject Sample] button makes it easy to load and remove samples by immediately lowering the stage and adjusting the objectives to expand the workspace. Furthermore, the lower Condenser mirror can be removed, allowing reflectance/ATR measurements on samples up to 40 mm thick.
Wide-Field Camera and Microscope Camera
Golden object on a metal plate. Image Credit: Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
The wide-field camera and microscope camera allow for more efficient sample observation. The wide-field camera can capture images up to 10 × 13 mm and allows for digital zooming.
By exchanging positional information with the microscope camera, the camera provides a digital zoom feature that can zoom to almost 330× to examine regions as small as 30 × 40 µm. (The microscope camera allows for digital zoom magnification up to 10×).
Perform Infrared Measurements Smoothly While Viewing Visible Images- Visible/Infrared Dual View System
Image view of the visible light and infrared optical path. 
Green light: visible light optical path. 
Red light: infrared optical path. Image Credit: Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
Infrared spectra can be obtained while examining a visible image of the sample. Spectra can be measured while confirming object position, eliminating the need to switch between visible and infrared light. When combined with the tiling function, visual observations and infrared measurements could be taken anywhere within the stage’s operational range, avoiding the need to relocate the sample.
Measure
Automatic Contaminant Recognition System
The functionality for automatically identifying items is included as standard. The analyst merely presses a button, and the software automatically recognizes objects. There are two varieties available: regular type and micro type for extremely small regions, which can be chosen based on the analysis's objective.
Samples can be measured with the automatically selected measurement positions left unchanged, or the analyst can add or remove measurement positions. Each measured spectrum generates an automatically saved sample image. This allows users to easily validate the sample or measurement positions afterward.
Image Credit: Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
Perform Ultra Micro Analysis - Best-in-Class S/N Ratio
The AIMsight has been developed for measuring small areas. The AIMsight has the best S/N ratio in its class, at 30,000:1. Therefore, it can quickly obtain excellent spectra from even microscopic objects.
High-Sensitivity ATR Measurement - Samples with High Refractive Index
Even when measuring samples with a high refractive index, such as black rubber, the AIMsight can obtain high-quality, distortion-free ATR spectra due to the steep incident angle of the infrared light. Furthermore, the Ge prism (P/N 206-32600-41) features a very sensitive anti-reflective coating.
ATR Measurement of Black Rubber
A Ge-ATR objective was used to evaluate an acrylonitrile-butadiene rubber (NBR) containing 50 wt % carbon. The C=C-H out-of-plane bending mode, which was stretched with a progressive incident angle, showed a distinct peak at 970 cm-1.
Image Credit: Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
Length Measurement Function
The length measurement function has been introduced to AMsolution. The length of the target object can be measured using images collected with an infrared microscope. With a single click, the length measurement results can be output as a report.
Image Credit: Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
Analyze
Fully Supports the Identification of Contaminants
There are several libraries available, including Contaminant Library, Thermally Degraded Library, and UV-Degraded Plastic Library.
Automatic Identification of Object-Contaminant Analysis Program
The ability to automatically qualify objects, known as the contaminant analysis program, is a standard feature of LabSolutions™ IR software. It is possible to load and analyze measured spectra directly into LabSolutions IR using AMsolution.
The contaminant analysis program uses Shimadzu's unique identification algorithm (patent JP5205918) in conjunction with a spectral library of substances commonly found as contaminants to identify measured objects with high precision.
The system identifies the major and secondary components and shows the likelihood of the substances found, even when items are mixed. Even for those with limited expertise with infrared analysis, the analysis is simple because the number of components in the mixture does not need to be specified.
Spectrum Advisor Function (Patent Pending)
This includes instructions for troubleshooting accessories and procedures specific to infrared microscopes. By comparing the measured spectrum with measurement examples, corrective actions are suggested. Better-quality data can therefore be obtained.
Image Credit: Shimadzu Scientific Instruments
Visualize Components - Chemical Imaging
The invisible distribution of chemicals can be shown using peak height or area, multivariate analysis (PCR/MCR), or spectral similarity to target spectra.
Chemical Image of Pharmaceutical Powder
Pharmaceutical products were rolled using a diamond cell before being mapped. The image on the right depicts the dispersion of powder components, such as lactose, lipids, and cellulose. The color display can be easily switched between single and multi-color modes.
Image Credit: Shimadzu Scientific Instruments